With just one week left before the partial settlement construction freeze expires, the issue seems as contentious as ever, threatening to tear apart the ongoing peace talks, the Israeli coalition government, or both.

Which explains the appeal of finding some compromise where the participants can have their cake and eat it to, but also makes it a complicated endeavour. Neither side seems likely to be contented with a half-measure, and rather than satisfying both such a move may well satisfy neither and accomplish nothing.

Author: Jason Ditz

My suggestion for a solution to impasse over construction in the occupied West Bank. Don't cavil at the resumption of planned construction, but insist that any building undertaken and completed from this time forward to be open to purchase by Israelis and Palestinians in equal numbers. Israelis bursting from waiting to have their houses built will have their needs met, but Palestinians, who are in greater need of quality housing, will enjoy the benefits as well. Most importantly, this construction will not prejudice the position of either side in the current peace talks, but will encourage both sides to get the borders drawn quickly, before the citizens on both sides actually learn to live in a unitary state.

pwi

Let the freeze expire and see which side check's or folds or doubledowns. As long as some artifical freeze remains in place real talks probably won't get anywhere, even if they would anyhow.